DT15: A View From The Top Of The World (Timeline for DT15)

[the_silent_man]

While it is true that the 2 years gap between albums that we have been used to through the 2000s seems to be growing a bit lately, I don't think DT are releasing albums any slower than most bands these days. Its not like they're spending years making an album like some bands (Metallica, megadeth etc). It's also a different beast these days to the 70s, and promotion is more important than ever to try and sell as much as possible in a struggling industry.

[pg1067]

I hope there's not another Easter Egg hunt like they did for the last album where only computer programmers could play and everyone else was entirely left out.

I'm no computer programmer, and I took part. I was able to solve a few things on my own, and it was a lot of fun. Hopefully you give it a shot next time!

I'm no computer programmer, (but a business owner) and I was lost in about the first minute.

I was lost -- and then became disinterested -- after about a week.

[Kotowboy]

I was lost -- and then became disinterested -- after about a week.

Exactly - I just waited for everyone else to work it out and felt left out.

If you were in a band why would you deliberately alienate a majority of your fanbase ?

[Trav]

I was lost -- and then became disinterested -- after about a week.

Exactly - I just waited for everyone else to work it out and felt left out.

If you were in a band why would you deliberately alienate a majority of your fanbase ?

I don't remember much of the details. I know that I wasn't interested in being involved in it, or did I really have much interest. I'm sure the band didn't have much to do with it. It was probably presented to them by a marketing team and thought it was going to be more inclusive and entertaining than it actually was.

[Sebastián Pratesi]

If you were in a band why would you deliberately alienate a majority of your fanbase ?

I don't think they deliberately alienated their fanbase. It's not like the album was exclusive to those who played. It was similar to the "Stream Of Consciousness" contest back in 2003 - something to keep fans engaged during the waiting period.

I’m sure the band didn’t have much to do with it. It was probably presented to them by a marketing team and thought it was going to be more inclusive and entertaining than it actually was.

It was actually proposed by Noxon, with input by many people from the band's entourage or fan communities, including:

• the band members themselves
• Maddi and Jimmy T.
• Jake Solomon (son of Frank)
• Victoria, from DT USA
• Roie, Jessica and Freddy, from InsideOut
• mods of this forum and the band's subreddit (I'm guessing bosk had a lot to do with it.)

[RMGadelha]

I was finding it interesting until one day I came to the forums and thought "greeeeeat, there's another phase".

[Cool Chris]

I found that scavenger hunt thing a great idea and something I was really interested in participating in, for about 26 seconds. Once I realized it was over my head, I was out. But I didn't once feel "alienated"  or left out. It was just something I decided I wasn't interested in pursuing.

[TAC]

Yeah, I was fucking clueless over the whole thing. I was really excited to check it out/play along, but the thing was so far over my head.

[Kotowboy]

Then some bright spark figured out the ending right away and they had to change it all anyway 

[MirrorMask]

Then some bright spark figured out the ending right away and they had to change it all anyway 

As far as I remember they didn't "figure out", they used a method of brute force not allowed, because in other kind of games it was allowed so they didn't think it was fobidden. So if I remember right nobody "figured out the ending", but rather "cheated without really knowing they were cheating".

Also, "deliberately alienating the fanbase" is a bit harsh. Do you really think they sat down and brainstormed "how can we piss off some fans?"... come on. I too was not prepared for the kind of games they offered, but this is a forum where people complain that they dropped an obscure non-album song from the Images and Words and Beyond tour.... the "rights" of the 10 people who know Don't Look Past Me matter, but the enjoyment of all those people who liked those puzzle doesn't?

[IDontNotDoThings]

Considering this forum (or the MP one, but this fanbase either way) figured out the Easter Egg in ITNOG, & figured out the track lengths of TA from an unlabelled pie chart, I don't think the stuff in the treasure hunt was all that farfetched.

I mean, maybe you (plural) weren't prepared for the puzzles in the treasure hunt, but there were plenty of people who were, otherwise it would never have been solved.

[kirksnosehair]

heh, shows you how much I paid attention, this is the first I'm hearing of a treasure hunt 

[Max Kuehnau]

Ending derailment, the interview cycle seems to have concluded. (https://www.facebook.com/MikeMangini/posts/327762202046587).

[TAC]

I realized MP used the wife metaphor, but is that a DT wedding ring that MM is wearing?

[WilliamMunny]

Ending derailment, the interview cycle seems to have concluded. (https://www.facebook.com/MikeMangini/posts/327762202046587).

Care to share for those of us who don't use facebook?

[Max Kuehnau]

Ending derailment, the interview cycle seems to have concluded. (https://www.facebook.com/MikeMangini/posts/327762202046587).

Care to share for those of us who don't use facebook?

that was (in a nutshell of course) Mike saying that promo has apparently concluded (which, at this stage, has been preliminary interviews and photo shoots) My guess is that the video shoots are what will be coming up for the band (as he mentions, next week till mid June will be another hectic bit for the band)

[WilliamMunny]

Ending derailment, the interview cycle seems to have concluded. (https://www.facebook.com/MikeMangini/posts/327762202046587).

Care to share for those of us who don't use facebook?

that was (in a nutshell of course) Mike saying that promo has apparently concluded (which, at this stage, has been preliminary interviews and photo shoots) My guess is that the video shoots are what will be coming up for the band (as he mentions, next week till mid June will be another hectic bit for the band)

Ahhhh...thanks!

[Moor]

The word "energy" is used a lot by the band members to describe DT15.

So I remembered a famous quote said by a fan : ENERGY, POWAHHHH!

But can't find the video.

Any help? 

[Zydar]

The word "energy" is used a lot by the band members to describe DT15.

So I remembered a famous quote said by a fan : ENERGY, POWAHHHH!

But can't find the video.

Any help? 

3:18 in the Riding The Train Of Thought documentary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcHV4kYptXY

[Moor]

The word "energy" is used a lot by the band members to describe DT15.

So I remembered a famous quote said by a fan : ENERGY, POWAHHHH!

But can't find the video.

Any help? 

3:18 in the Riding The Train Of Thought documentary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcHV4kYptXY

Wawwww

That was fast 

Thanks a lot ! hahahaha

[Zydar]

Yeah I'm bored at work

Working from home, with Futurama re-runs on the TV.

[Lax]

I can't wait to hear the new DT, because I'm a little scared by the mood of it...

I have no idea what was the mood of JP and the band during the other albums recording, but his solo album and LTE3 are so joyful (I don't say they are bad, don't read me wrong), I fear the DT album to be light hearted and lacking twisted or sad emotions...

It may sound a little extreme but I try to go straight to the point, exemple : a solo like goodnight kiss needs emotion to be transferred...And lord it transferred to me
I think I'll have wet eyes hearing it all my life.

SadandtwistedDT team anyone ?

[MirrorMask]

Their most acclaimed album alongside SFAM, Images and Words, is light hearted and lacking twisted or sad emotions. If the songs are good, I accept an album in that general vein.

[illusionist]

I'm with Lax on this.
I fully understand what you're saying,and i hope their new album won't be a 'happy' one.
I love their darker side,SfAM,ToT,Awake,DT etc.
The atmospheres they create, the more emotional and dramatic material, needs some majestic music,
which isn't the case with 'happy' mood.
I feel you man,but we can only hope for that tone.

[Max Kuehnau]

I can't wait to hear the new DT, because I'm a little scared by the mood of it...

I have no idea what was the mood of JP and the band during the other albums recording, but his solo album and LTE3 are so joyful (I don't say they are bad, don't read me wrong), I fear the DT album to be light hearted and lacking twisted or sad emotions...

It may sound a little extreme but I try to go straight to the point, exemple : a solo like goodnight kiss needs emotion to be transferred...And lord it transferred to me
I think I'll have wet eyes hearing it all my life.

SadandtwistedDT team anyone ?

No. Precision and technical difficulty is all that matters (to me)

[KevShmev]

I can't wait to hear the new DT, because I'm a little scared by the mood of it...

I have no idea what was the mood of JP and the band during the other albums recording, but his solo album and LTE3 are so joyful (I don't say they are bad, don't read me wrong), I fear the DT album to be light hearted and lacking twisted or sad emotions...

It may sound a little extreme but I try to go straight to the point, exemple : a solo like goodnight kiss needs emotion to be transferred...And lord it transferred to me
I think I'll have wet eyes hearing it all my life.

SadandtwistedDT team anyone ?

I can get on board with the spirit of this.  The band has nothing to prove when it comes to chops, technical skill and precision. I personally would rather they focus solely on songs and emotion, and without worrying about how technical it is, but this is Dream Theater, so that is probably a pipe dream.

[RMGadelha]

I like my dosage of sad and twisted songs, but I wouldn't mind at all a cheerful DT album.

[Enigmachine]

Even their most upbeat albums like Images and Octavarium have had many moments of tension and drama so I really wouldn't worry about a DT album lacking darker emotions. Plus, the JP solo album and LTE3 being bright and positive (not wholly, mind you) doesn't neccesitate DT15 following suit. After all, from what I remember those projects have generally been more laid back in mood than the parallel DT albums.

Also, I never really saw technical ability as one of the main appealing factors of the band, though it's certainly impressive and not entirely absent in my appreciation of the band. If I only wanted that though, I'd listen to jazz fusion and tech death. What draws me to the band is stuff like how each song within an album is entirely different, yet also form a coherent whole with a definitive stylistic centre. I also like how they can create grand song strucutres that feel like they go by in an instant due to how well paced they are. The fact that they have a varied emotional palette is a very strong factor, stuff like going from PTSD inspired paranoia to triumphant arena rock, to playful instrumental indulgence within one album.

[Trav]

I can't wait to hear the new DT, because I'm a little scared by the mood of it...

I have no idea what was the mood of JP and the band during the other albums recording, but his solo album and LTE3 are so joyful (I don't say they are bad, don't read me wrong), I fear the DT album to be light hearted and lacking twisted or sad emotions...

It may sound a little extreme but I try to go straight to the point, exemple : a solo like goodnight kiss needs emotion to be transferred...And lord it transferred to me
I think I'll have wet eyes hearing it all my life.

SadandtwistedDT team anyone ?

No. Precision and technical difficulty is all that matters (to me)

I hope this is suppose to be sarcasm.

[pg1067]

Their most acclaimed album alongside SFAM, Images and Words, is light hearted and lacking twisted or sad emotions.

Ummm...you're aware of the subject matter of Another Day, Wait for Sleep and Learning to Live, no?

[MirrorMask]

Yeah, but the music is still not that dark, there's no Far from Heaven or Vacant on I&W, that's for sure. At Wit's End is way darker in mood and feel than Learning to Live, even if LtL's subject matter is not all roses and sunshines.

[pg1067]

I'm not suggesting they're the darkest things they've ever done, but your assertion that I&W is light-hearted and lacking in sad emotions went WAY too far.  After my wife's (then fiancee) father died from AIDS (resulting from a transfusion with a bad batch of blood) in 1995, it was several years before I could listen to LTL without tearing up.

[IDontNotDoThings]

I can't wait to hear the new DT, because I'm a little scared by the mood of it...

I have no idea what was the mood of JP and the band during the other albums recording, but his solo album and LTE3 are so joyful (I don't say they are bad, don't read me wrong), I fear the DT album to be light hearted and lacking twisted or sad emotions...

It may sound a little extreme but I try to go straight to the point, exemple : a solo like goodnight kiss needs emotion to be transferred...And lord it transferred to me
I think I'll have wet eyes hearing it all my life.

SadandtwistedDT team anyone ?

No. Precision and technical difficulty is all that matters (to me)

I hope this is suppose to be sarcasm.

Why? Is that an invalid reason to like something?

[Trav]

Delete. It's been too long of a day.

[Kotowboy]

I just don't want all my fave bands to release Covid19 / 2020 sucked songs / albums.

To me it would be way too obvious.